Stanford’s Maverick McNealy, with dad Scott in tow, qualifies for U.S. Open

Even sweeter for McNealy: He will play there in next week’s U.S. Open.

Maverick McNealy (right), with an assist from his dad Scott, landed a spot in next week’s U.S. Open.(Chronicle photo by Brant Ward)

On a chilly, foggy Monday along the coast, McNealy belied his age (18) and inexperience to earn a spot in America’s national championship. He shot 67 at Lake Merced and 69 at the Olympic Club’s Ocean Course to finish sectional qualifying at 7-under par, good enough to pocket one of five available berths in the Open.

Alex Cejka, a four-time European Tour winner, took medalist honors at 11-under. Other players to qualify at the Bay Area sectional were Steven Alker, a Web.com Tour pro from New Zealand; Kevin Sutherland, the longtime PGA Tour pro from Sacramento; and Brian Campbell, a University of Illinois junior from Irvine.

McNealy won with a notable caddie lugging his red Stanford golf bag: His dad, Scott McNealy, probably better known as co-founder of Sun Microsystems. Scott McNealy seemed more nervous than his son coming down the stretch, as Maverick made two late bogeys to briefly jeopardize his chances of advancing to Pinehurst.

“I can get on national TV and it doesn’t faze me at all,” Scott McNealy said afterward, “but I’m a wreck out here.”

Maverick McNealy grew up in Portola Valley, the oldest of four boys. His dad, who played golf at Harvard, taught him the game – occasionally at Stanford and Sharon Heights but mostly on their backyard chipping green.

Even so, the younger McNealy’s sporting interests stretched beyond fairways and greens. He also played hockey and soccer through high school, plus basketball in his younger days. He spent six years with the San Jose Junior Sharks, winning two state championships.

McNealy credits this time on the ice with improving his athleticism and strength – and also preventing him from burning out on the links.

Another benefit, to hear Scott McNealy tell it: “When you’ve had a 200-pound guy from Saskatchewan try to put you through the boards, a 4-foot putt doesn’t scare you.”

The younger McNealy helped Stanford reach the NCAA semifinals last week, even if he labored in the long shadow of teammates Patrick Rodgers (world’s No. 1-ranked amateur) and Cameron Wilson (NCAA individual champion). McNealy posted three top-10s this season and made the Pac-12 all-freshman team.

He finished Monday morning’s round with a flourish, making eagle on his final hole at Lake Merced. Then he added a flurry of early birdies at Olympic, giving him some cushion when he wobbled later in the round.

“I’ve got to give thanks to my dad for hoofing it for 36 holes,” Maverick McNealy said. “Not many 59-year-olds could do that.”

Elsewhere in sectional qualifying, two-time heart transplant recipient Erik Compton and 1997 British Open champion Justin Leonard were among the players who advanced in Columbus, Ohio. J.B. Holmes and David Toms, winner of the 2001 PGA Championship, headlined the notable pros qualifying in Memphis, Tenn.

Cal alums James Hahn and Michael Kim finished one shot out of the playoff in Columbus. Wilson, who won NCAAs on May 26, missed by one stroke in Purchase, N.Y., and will be the first alternate out of that sectional.